title: Diminishing risk for age-related macular degeneration with nutrition: a current view.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Clinical hallmarks of AMD are observed in one third of the elderly in industrialized countries. Preventative interventions through dietary modification are attractive strategies, because they are more affordable than clinical therapies, do not require specialists for administration and many studies suggest a benefit of micro- and macro-nutrients with respect to AMD with few, if any, adverse effects. The goal of this review is to provide information from recent literature on the value of various nutrients, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, lower glycemic index diets and, perhaps, some carotenoids, with regard to diminishing risk for onset or progression of AMD. Results from the upcoming Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) II intervention trial should be particularly informative.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, JM USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging Tufts University, 711 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA. molly.schleicher@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schleicher
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weikel
authors.forename: Caren
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005399:Fishes; D038321:Glycemic Index; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid